RME ADI-2 DAC FS 2-Channel DA Converter

2020-10-23T03:49:16

I added this to my system and was blown away by how lifelike and how broad the imaging became. I was using a bluesound streamer with the built in DAC and thought it sounded pretty good, but this little beauty showed me an entirely different listening experience. After trying it out in the living room with my Marantz pm8006 I took it into the office and paired it with my Audioengine HD3's. WOW! It took those things and turned them into near audiophile level speakers. I used to hate listening to them, because my Tektons that were one room away sounded so much better. But believe me, these audioengines now sound pretty darn good, at least while I am seated right in front of the computer. The only drawback...I am now saving up for a second RME so that I can put this one back in the living room! And this nonsense that the "bass attack" is lacking...learn how to program the RME. I suspect it is a user problem.

Conrad S.

2020-01-29T07:16:35

The ADI-2 DAC impresses me with its upmost clarity and extremely well organized representation. In comparison, my integrated amp‘s headphone output (Marantz PM8006) sounds quite scrambled now. I am using the ADI-2 mostly for streaming music from OS/iOS devices. With my Sennheisers HD660s the listening experience is absolutely non fatiguing and enjoyable for hours. The only thing I wished for is that the presentation could have a tad more attack, quickness and tightness in the low frequencies. I guess the 660s‘ are maybe not the perfect pairing for the ADI-2? Surprisingly, while using the ADI-2 as DAC-only in my British audiophile system (Linn), the lack of quickness and tightness absolutely spoils the listening experience. It is unacceptable. Here, I get much more authentic and CD like results with my M.F. V90 DAC. Interestingly, the softening effect is much less noticeable with my Marantz system. I conclude that proper component or system matching is still critical with the ADI-2.

JOACHIM E.

2019-09-04T08:15:40

Extremely potent little amp with plenty of features. Solid build, clean and quiet output. The owner’s manual is pretty easy to follow, though this unit takes a little time to “tweak” and program properly. But, if you use multiple pairs of headphones like me, you can even save presets for different ones with individual loudness, EQ, balance, and other characteristics. I own several headphone amps and this is easily the most complex but also the most rewarding once you’ve dialed it in for your setup. Highly recommended.

JASON H.

2018-12-08T09:18:31

This is a very highly functional and capable dac/amp combo unit. I am using it as a balanced pre-amp for my active speakers. For headphones, I have tried it with the Sennheiser HD800S, AKG 7xx, Hifiman HE-400i and IEMs including the Campfire Andromeda and Beyerdynamic Xelento. Works very well with all of them. The RME-ADI 2 is special as it is able to give a completely black background with no hiss at all for my sensitive IEMs. None of my prior dac/amp was able to do this, so I am very happy with this purchase.

Dennis J.